Azure Market Organics Quinoa Black, Organic-33oz

Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is one of the healthiest, most nutritious foods on the planet. It’s naturally gluten-free, high in protein and one of the few plant foods that contain all nine essential amino acids. It is also high in fiber, magnesium, B-vitamins, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E and various beneficial antioxidants. Truly, a superfood in every sense of the word.

But what, exactly, is it? Quinoa is a grain crop that is grown for its edible seeds. It technically isn’t a cereal grain, but a pseudo-cereal. In other words, it is a seed which is prepared and eaten like a grain.

Scientifically speaking, quinoa is the mature seed of the species Chenopodium Quinoa, which belongs to the Chenopodioideae subfamily of the amaranthaceae. Spinach, swiss chard and beets are in the same family.

Quinoa was an important crop for the Inca Empire, as far back as 5000 BC. They referred to it as the “mother of all grains” and believed it to be sacred. It was a diet staple of pre-Hispanic cultures of South America, before being replaced by cereals brought by the Spaniards. Today it’s found mainly in the region of Lake Titicaca in Peru and Bolivia.

Azure Market Organic Quinoa comes in three different colors – black, red and white. We also offer a tri-colored mix of all three. White quinoa has a neutral taste, while black and red quinoa are bolder in flavor.

Quinoa has only 160 calories per quarter-cup serving with 2.5 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein. About 28% of quinoa's fatty acids come in the form of oleic acid, a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, and about 5% in the form of alpha-linolenic acid or ALA — the omega-3 fatty acid most commonly found in plants associated with decreased risk of inflammation-related disease.

Quinoa is higher in fiber than most grains and is a very good source of manganese. It is also a good source of phosphorus, copper, magnesium, dietary fiber, folate and zinc.

Two flavonoids that have been particularly well studied, quercetin and kaempferol, are found in large amounts in quinoa. In fact, the quercetin content of quinoa is even higher than typical high-quercetin foods like cranberries. These important molecules have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-cancer and anti-depressant effects in animal studies. 

The really great thing about quinoa though is that it is the perfect grain-free substitute for salads and other dishes. Serve as a side dish, in casseroles, for breakfast, or as a compliment to curry, grilled vegetables or braised meat. And be sure to rinse the quinoa before cooking to reduce the bitter taste that comes with its natural coating.

• Organic
• Non-GMO
• Kosher

Product meets or exceeds USDA guidelines. While we use the most modern equipment and standards when cleaning, processing, and packing this product, the contents of this bag are a natural product grown in the earth. It is not always possible to remove all foreign material. Please sort and rinse thoroughly before cooking.

Azure Market products that are re-packaged by Azure for your convenience are packaged in a Facility that meets the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) - Safe Quality Food (SQF) standards which includes an approved allergen control program.